SUSPECT IN HIDING - Members of the Sheriff's Department Special Enforcement Bureau wait Thursday morning outside shops in Palmdale. The Gonzalez Meat Market was burglarized overnight. Deputies arrested the suspect inside an adjoining shop that morning after an hours-long search that prompted the closure of Palmdale Boulevard. RON SIDDLE/Valley Press

LANCASTER - Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich has sided with residents opposing the development of two new super-size shopping centers on the west side of Lancaster near Quartz Hill High School.   Complete story.

Plenty of Fourth of July celebrations and fireworks shows will be in the Antelope Valley, with patriotic fervor abounding and plenty of red, white and blue worn and waved.   Complete story.

LANCASTER - More than two dozen children grouped with their government-funded child care providers held up signs and blew whistles Thursday morning outside state Sen. George Runner's office, begging lawmakers in Sacramento to pass a budget that does not eliminate social services.   Complete story.

PALMDALE - The ongoing crisis with California's state budget thrust Antelope Valley parents and day care providers contracted through the Child Care Resource Center into a panic last month when it appeared their June payments would not be received and payments beyond June 30 could not be guaranteed.   Complete story.

PALMDALE - "Native American Legends" was the theme as Thursday Night on the Square kicked off its 2009 season in Poncitlan Square. The free Thursday gatherings feature music, food, fun activities, farmers market, arts and crafts vendors.   Complete story.

EDITORIAL OF THURSDAY, JULY 2 - The Antelope Valley Press has long supported the idea of simplifying federal income taxes so that your return could be sent in on a postcard.   Complete story.

LANCASTER - Chris Hicks said he never thought about it. "Not one time," the JetHawks starter said. The last time Hicks was presented with a seven-run outburst from his offense, he was unable to record another out - igniting what turned into a painstaking defeat. Given the chance with another comfy cushion early on Thursday night, Hicks threw up the necessary zeroes to make sure Lake Elsinore never felt it was back into what became an 11-4 JetHawks' romp.   Complete story.

Three Valley youth track and field athletes are headed to the 43rd USATF National Junior Olympic Track and Field Championships after posting first-place finishes at the 2009 Regional Junior Olympics Championship Meet at Cerritos College in Norwalk last weekend.   Complete story.

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